Nathaniel, Cierra, Castiel, Freya, Grrl; RIP GABRIEL

We never expected to get another dragon, but our neighbours next door wanted to give away Cleo, as he was called. We'd babysat him before, he's such a sweetheart. We nicknamed him Velcro because when he snuggles he never wants to go back to his viv, he hangs on as if he's made out of velcro.

So here he is. Today was his first day with us. He ate 13 supers and ate some squash, not bad for the first day he was here. He's only in a 30 gallon tank, which will be ok for now. He's 18" long but weighs only 200g. We figure he's probably 2 yrs old. Our neighbours rescued him last fall, they found him and a female (which they named Puff) on Craig's list. They were in a 30 gallon dirty tank, with sand and a huge log that took up 1/2 the space in the tank. Leo was at the bottom, he was sooooo skinny. He's gained weight, but never got the attention he deserved. I took some pics today, but will take more tomorrow. I think he remembers our place as didn't get stressed as I expected. No stress marks at all. When we let him run around the living room, he noticed our girls and immediate black beard, so his hormones are working!

He had a bath this morning, had a big poop, no smell, so not worried about parasites.

So here are a few pics, he's a yellow & dark gray, light gray colour.

Under the communal power sun in the living room:

Discovering there are girls in those tanks up above, he has a great black beard for such a skinny boy:

On the couch, he's got a pretty diamond pattern on his back:

Hope you enjoy
Deb and my six dragons :shock: :shock: :shock: :love5:

 

[beardie osk]

Great pics Deb, I don't know how you found the time to post them? How did your Dr. appointment go the other day? Thoughts and prayers continue for you and Roger. I'm glad you keep us all posted.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts & prayers. The biopsy is going to take a couple of days to get a correct diagnosis & treatment. I'll let everyone know when I know. Roger was very grumpy when he got back from the biopsy & when I refused to take him out for a smoke (you have to wait at least 24 hours after an extraction) he told me to go home. So I went shopping & put the babies to bed when I got home & now I'm off to my son Eric's place to watch a funny movie. That's a great way to relax & I need to relax. Eric also needs to spend time with me as he's having a hard time with his dad being so sick.
Deb

 

[beardie osk]

Oh I'm sorry Deb for Rogers grumpiness, that sometimes happens when your ill, so I'm glad your going to Eric's, the movie will give you some R&R. You have alot on your plate, be strong, we're here for you.

 

[diamc]

Absolutely adorable pics Deb. Thanks for sharing them with us. They all look so happy and content. I don't know how you find the time to do all that you do. What a strong and thoughtful woman you are.

That's good that he got that tooth out and had his root canals cleaned out too. Once the area heals, he should be able to start eating better. He sure has had a lot of issues to try to deal with.

I know the waiting for the results will be hard. Hoping & praying for good results. Sorry that Roger was kinda grumpy, he should be feeling better tomorrow. Good that you went shopping and will be watching a funny movie with Eric, you both need that.

HUGS

 

[sweetiepie9]

Hi Christine & Diane,

I do what I can but I know they miss their afternoons with Roger. I have to be better giving the CC to Sweetie & Didi, they're still not eating. I also have to get a new power sun for Leo, I think his UVB is not working as well. I may need to replace that light with a regular household bulb for now until I can get to the pet shop for a new light. His is the last light to be replaced, then everyone has a new power sun.

I seem to wander around the apartment alot & just lose time. I usually have the afternoons at home & should be getting lots done, but instead I just lose time. Guess my mind is running around in circles! Maybe a good night's sleep will help. I really did enjoy the movie at Eric's, we watched "Kung Fu Panda 2", I love cartoons! It was very relaxing.

Tomorrow is another day, I'll see how Roger's feeling in the morning. I always get an update from the nurse on duty that day.
Deb

 

[sweetiepie9]

No biopsy results yet, may take a few more days as the results are checked a few times. Roger is having issues eating, so the doc has decided to insert a feeding tube & restrain him if necessary. At the rate he's going, he's losing a bit of weight daily where there's no more weight to lose. So I have an appt with my chiro, then I'm going back to the hospital to be there when it's inserted. It's the only way to stop him from losing any more weight & a way to get nutrients in, as his brain is starving, too and there is danger that his kidney is too dry. So this is the only & last option for Roger. I'm hoping this helps him.

I was at hospital at 8a, so I left the dragons to sleep, when I got home at 11a, Didi was up & on top of his blankie; Leo was up at 5a & so was I so he's had his lights on longer than the others. Sweetie just ate squash & greens, but no worms, so I didn't give her critical care this am. Tomorrow i'll have more time. Lonzo ate alot of worms & squash, so he's happy, except for his shed, it's 1/2 his back & his whole head is gradually turning grey. So he's happy to be full but miserable about his shed, poor guy.

Leo is starting to shed, too, just 1/2 his head & 1 one arm so far, but shedding never bothers him anyway. Rubio was still asleep when I got home, the look was "What, is ti already time to get up?!?!?" Even with the late wake up he ate worms & greens.
Deb

 

[beardie parents]

Deb, we are praying for Roger. I hope the news is good, that it can be taken care of easily.

 

[sweetiepie9]

I found out tonight that the biopsy results are in, but the doc wasn't, so I'll get that news tomorrow. Roger is fighting the feeding tube, so not sure what they're going to do. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again for all the good wishes & prayers.
Deb

 

[diamc]

Thinking of you, Roger and Eric. He really needs that feeding tube, sure hope he will agree to it.

HUGS

 

[sweetiepie9]

Sp do I, I'll be going to the hospital soon, to see the doc & get the result of the biopsy. Wish them luck getting that feeding tube in. The only way they won't do that is if he eats meal replacements with each meal. We'll see how that goes!
Deb

 

[beardie osk]

I'll be praying for you and Roger, Deb.........Maybe they could consider a GT instead of a NGT that goes up the nose for nutrition. Even though the GT goes straight into the stomach it's less invasive and he wouldn't fight the nose tube. Either way I'll pray that he'll start drinking his supplements.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Hi Christine, they only use the stomach tube when it's permanent, the nose is for temporary use. He's not well enough to be out of bed & if they didn't restrain him he'd yank out his IV, too. He's dehydrated again & so out of it because of lack of nutrition. The hospital has tried all the tricks I did & a few more but Roger was literally starving to death. So regardless of what he wants, we had to get some nutrition into him. The tube was put in this am, they also took a small sample of his stomach contents to test. We still haven't received the biopsy results of the liver yet, so that's what everyone is waiting on. The doc I saw this am said 16 days in Emerg is way too long, so they're going to find him a bed in an upstairs ward. My insurance pays 100% of a semi-private room direct to the hospital when & if one becomes available and no deductible. We're so desperately short of hospital beds in Vancouver, it's a sin, but it's also political. The party that's on it's way out cut health care alot a few years ago. We have a large population of elderly people in Vancouver & surrounding subhurbs but insufficient hospital space or family doctors. Lots of specialists, but if your family doctor retires, it's almost impossible to find another one.

So I'm just home from taking Eric & Tara shopping & I feel like I'm getting a cold, so I called the hospital & Roger's sound asleep. He's going to be moved to a ward soon, a room with windows, so that should help him orient himself. They're going to start the feeding tube soon, there were alot of trauma's today, that's also why they want to get him out of the ER area. When he was admitted, he was noted as "failure to thrive" which is why he was put into emerg to begin with. So I'll get a good nights sleep, lemon, honey & hot water tonight to see if I can get rid of this cold. I think I'm just tired, exhausted more like it, at least emotionally, so a night off won't hurt. I have to take better care of myself if I'm going to get through this.

Deb

 

[Goonie]

Deb, you're wearing yourself out, with going to the hospital first thing in the morning, trying to make Roger feel better emotionally, run home mid day to take care of the babies, run back to the hospital until bedtime, then rush home again to tuck all of the babies in for the night -- and somewhere in between take Eric out shopping. Your body's simply telling you that you need to slow down.

Hope Roger will leave the feeding tube alone. He really need the force feeding.
When will you be getting the test results?

 

[beardie osk]

I agree with Gina, Deb, your really worn out physically and emotionally, I hope you get some much needed rest tonight.
I knew the GT was permanent, but the NGT is invasive, sometimes they by-pass that and go straight with the GT, and put a binder on, kind of out of site, out of mind. I know it's very hard to see him restrained and it's even harder for him, I'm sorry for all this.
You continue in my prayers, (((((((cyber hugs)))))))

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Deb, sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. I agree... all of this is taking a toll on you emotionally and now physically. That is not good.
I do understand that your daily routines must go on, but is there anyone who can help you out to take some of the burden off of your shoulders.
I have been where you and I understand all too well how draining it is. I wish there was something we could do for you to help you through this.
Take care of yourself. Keeping Roger in my thoughts.